Telework, Hybrid Work and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: Towards Policy Coherence

Abstract

With increased participation in telework expected to continue, in the aftermath of COVID, it will be important to consider what long-term impact this practice could have on sustainability outcomes. This paper describes a scoping review and identifies connections between telework and sustainability outcomes from previous academic studies. These connections were categorised, and are discussed, based on their contributions to different United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Most research was found to focus on countries classified as having a very high human development index status. The SWOT matrix technique was used to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses identified in the existing literature, and the threats and opportunities for future work. This aims to ensure policy coherence so that strategies to promote one outcome, such as economic productivity improvements, do not undermine another, such as improved health. Practical implications and research opportunities were identified across a range of SDG impact areas, including good health and well-being, gender equality, reduced inequality, climate mitigation, sustainable cities, and resilient communities. Overall, our impression is that increased rates of telework present an important opportunity to improve sustainability outcomes. However, it will be important that integrated and holistic policy is developed that mitigates key risks.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working and Burnout in the Context of the Job Demands–Resources Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…All in all, we believe that the approach proposed in this study, as well as its findings, will contribute to providing a starting point for future research in the field of work and organizational psychology. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a sharp acceleration in the adoption of smart working, hybrid work arrangements-that combine office work and smart working [112]-will be increasingly prevalent in the future [8]. Hence, forthcoming research needs to consider both situational (e.g., social, organizational and policy-related) as well as individual (e.g., personal characteristics) factors that may shape hybrid workers' experiences at home versus the office.…”

Presenteeism in Non-Academic Staff in a Public University Context: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Reasons to Work While Sick during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Interestingly, a study conducted during the COVID-19 quarantine with Lithuanian professionals in the public sector, which includes school and higher education teachers, points out that doing telework two days a week may be synonymous with motivation, and may not be detrimental to the quality of relationship and work produced by the professional which does not occur with those who work remotely most of the time [ 43 ]. If, on the one hand, working in person in the organization is favorable because there is a better ergonomic configuration of the workplace, face-to-face socialization with colleagues, and natural physical activity due to various types of travel (e.g., to and from the organization) [ 41 ], on the other hand, according to a review, working at home means being able to reconcile professional and personal life, work flexibility, lower health risks (e.g., because of contagion), and saving travel time [ 44 ]. Thus, hybrid working, a model with a future, makes it possible to balance the advantages of working at home and in the organization and consequently increase productivity [ 45 ].…”

Analysis of Energy Consumption in Commercial and Residential Buildings in New York City before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Despite this suggestion, urban sustainability must be viewed not only from an energy savings perspective, but also from an economic and social viewpoint as well [47]. Though our work focuses primarily on energy, other recent work describes the intermingling of these sustainability goals [48][49][50].…”